Brian Connaughton was the toast of Raharney yesterday after his goal deep into injury-time gave Johnny Greville's side a dramatic Westmeath SHC final victory over Clonkill at Cusack Park, Mullingar.

Raharney 2-14
Clonkill 1-16

Holders Clonkill looked set to retain the Examiner Cup when they led by 1-15 to 0-12 with seven minutes remaining, but a brilliant Paul Greville goal brought Raharney back into contention before Connaughton blasted the winner to the net from a 25-metre free in the third minute of stoppage-time.

The victory gave the Deelsiders their third title since 2006 and saw them join Clonkill on the Westmeath SHC roll of honour on 11 titles.

There was little to choose between the sides in the first half with Alan Dowdall's point giving Clonkill a slender 0-9 to 0-8 lead at the break. It remained close until the 49th minute when Niall Dowdall goaled to put Clonkill six clear.

However, the switching of county dual star Paul Greville from wing back to full forward proved to be the final's turning point.

Raharney - A Doyle; T Doyle, C Jordan, D Carey; A Giles (0-1), B Connaughton (1-4), P Greville (1-1); N Flanagan (0-1), S Morley; C Boyle, J Shaw (0-4), F Boyle (0-1); B McKeogh, C Flanagan (0-1), B Smyth (0-1). Subs - J Boyle for Morley, R McKeogh for Carey, P Connaughton for F Boyle.

Clonkill - B Murray; S Cleary, M Scally, S Loughlin; S Power, A Mitchell (0-2), F Fagan; E Price (0-2), E Loughlin (0-2); A Price (0-2), B Murtagh (0-3), A Dowdall (0-3); N Dowdall (1-2) , P Dowdall, M Heffernan. Subs - L Folan for Heffernan, J Fagan for E Loughlin. Tweet

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